Apparatus for protecting an exposed air release valve or other public works component

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting an exposed air release valve or other public works component includes an enclosure with a side wall and an open end, wherein a flange extends along a perimeter of the open end. The flange has a plurality bolt holes formed therethrough. A base, which is positionable over the exposed air release valve, has an open top, an open bottom and a horizontal bearing surface extending along a perimeter of the side wall adjacent the open top. The horizontal bearing surface is adapted to receive the flange of the enclosure. The base has a plurality of bolt holes formed thereon corresponding to locations of the plurality bolt holes of the enclosure. The enclosure may be provided in vented or un-vented configuration. A method of covering an exposed air release valve is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting an exposed air release valve or other public works component, the apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure having a side wall and an open end with a flange extending along a perimeter of the open end, the flange having a plurality of bolt holes formed therethrough; and   a base having a side wall, an open top, an open bottom, and a horizontal bearing surface extending along a perimeter of the side wall of said base adjacent the open top, the horizontal bearing surface adapted to receive the flange of the enclosure, the base having a plurality of bolt holes formed thereon corresponding respectively to locations of the plurality of bolt holes of the enclosure, wherein each of the plurality of bolt holes of the enclosure and each of the plurality of bolt holes of the base have threaded inserts adapted to receive threaded bolts therein.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall of said base comprises an outwardly-protruding perimeter adjacent the open bottom thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said enclosure comprising at least one integrally-formed vent. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said at least one integrally-formed vent comprising a panel extending at an acute angle relative to the side wall of the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said at least one integrally-formed vent comprising a slot formed in the side wall of said enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said side wall of said base comprising four side walls in a square configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , said enclosure comprising:
 four side walls angled inwardly towards each other extending upwardly from said base; and   a flat top.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a UV-resistant gel coat exterior. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure and base are constructed of fiber-reinforced plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said flange comprising:
 a transition section extending in a generally horizontal direction from the side wall of the enclosure;   a plurality of vertical walls extending downwardly from the transition section in a generally vertical direction.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , the horizontal bearing surface of the base positioned inwardly from the side wall of the base, so as to form a seat on the perimeter of the side wall of the base, said seat positionable against the vertical walls of the flange of the enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for protecting an exposed air release valve or other public works component, the apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure having a four side walls, a square-shaped open end and a flat top opposite said square-shaped open end, said four side walls extending angularly inwardly towards each other and upwardly from said square-shaped open end, said enclosure having a flange extending along a perimeter of said square-shaped open end, the flange having a plurality of bolt holes formed therethrough, said enclosure having at least one integrally-formed vent; and   a square-shaped base having a four side walls, an open top, an open bottom, and a horizontal bearing surface extending along a perimeter of the four side walls of the base adjacent said open top, the horizontal bearing surface adapted to receive the flange of the enclosure, the base having a plurality of bolt holes formed thereon corresponding to locations of the plurality of bolt holes of the enclosure, said flange having a transition section extending in a generally horizontal direction and a plurality of vertical walls extending downwardly form the transition section in a generally vertical direction, wherein each of the plurality of bolt holes of the enclosure and each of the plurality of bolt holes of the base have threaded inserts adapted to receive threaded bolts therein.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , said at least one integrally-formed vent comprising a panel extending at an acute angle relative to a side wall of the at least one of the four side walls of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , said at least one integrally-formed vent comprising a slot formed in at least one of the four side walls of the enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the enclosure comprises a UV-resistant gel coat exterior. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the enclosure and base are constructed of fiber-reinforced plastic material.